Report: Chiesa and Verratti on Italy preliminary squad list for World… — and more

Reports on Thursday claim that Federico Chiesa and Marco Verratti are in a chance of featuring for the Italy national team during the World Cup play-off campaign at the end of the month, and that they have both been included on Gennaro Gattuso’s preliminary squad list.

Italy are preparing to take on Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on October 26 and the winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on March 31: A one-legged decider for a spot at the final tournament.

If they fail to beat Northern Ireland and either Wales or Bosnia, it will be the third consecutive World Cup that Italy have missed out on. The Azzurri last qualified for the World Cup group stages in 2014.

Verratti and Chiesa on Italy preliminary squad list

FLORENCE, ITALY – JUNE 07: Marco Verratti of Italy warms up during training session at Forte Village Resort on June 07, 2023 in Santa Margherita di Pula, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

According to reports from Tuttosport, Gattuso is highly likely to call up Verratti for the first time in almost three years.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, currently with Al-Duhail in Qatar, last featured for the national team in the Nations League third place play-off against the Netherlands in June 2023.

Thursday’s report claims that Chiesa, who has not featured for Italy since the miserable Euro 2024 campaign, is also part of Gattuso’s preliminary squad. He was one of the players that Gattuso spoke to over a dinner in London over the last few weeks according to Thursday’s report.

The Chiesa case is an exceptional one, and according to Tuttosport, a final decision on his call-up will be made around 10 days before the squad meets up.

Among the fringe players in with a chance of being called up for the World Cup play-offs at the end of the month are Marco Palestra and Federico Gatti. Nicolo Zaniolo is not expected to be part of the squad.

Inter Milan striker Ange-Yoan Bonny has reportedly recovered from the upcoming Serie A clash against AC Milan.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, Cristian Chivu expects the Frenchman to resume training tomorrow.

Ange-Yoan Bonny suffered a minor fitness issue in a 2-0 home win over Genoa last weekend.

Therefore, Chivu was unable to call upon the 22-year-old for Tuesday’s dull 0-0 draw against Como in the Coppa Italia.

However, the former Parma starlet will be available for Sunday’s mouth-watering showdown at San Siro.

Bonny Recovers for AC Milan vs Inter Serie A Derby

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Ange-Yoan Bonny of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal during the Coppa Italia match between FC Internazionale and Venezia FC at San Siro Stadium on December 03, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

With Lautaro Martinez still working on his recovery, Chivu finds himself strapped for options in attack.

Indeed, Marcus Thuram has been out of form in 2026, while Francesco Pio Esposito has only scored four times in 25 league games.

Meanwhile, despite often starting on the bench, Bonny has tallied five goals and four assists in 22 Serie A outings.

Richard Hughes’ big gamble has paid off and looks like a genius move. Even if Arne Slot is sacked at the end of it.

Richard Hughes took an enormous chance in the summer as he twice broke Liverpool's transfer record in the biggest summer spend we've ever seen at Anfield. Over £400m went out on new players, with £200m coming in for those sold.

Just an overwhelming overhaul of the playing squad as Liverpool sought to build around their title-winning coach in Arne Slot. But as we come to the end of the season, has that worked?

The Reds are unquestionably worse than last season. Despite the lavish spend, things have moved backwards and Liverpool haven't come close to retaining their crown.

But we still stand by what Hughes did. In fact, it was a genius move in all truth.

Richard Hughes: Situation Summary

Current Role and Strategic Review

As of March 4, 2026, Liverpool Sporting Director Richard Hughes is currently leading a comprehensive "analysis and review" of the club's direction. Following a massive £450 million investment in the summer of 2025, the team is currently sixth in the Premier League and fighting for Champions League qualification. Hughes is reported to be evaluating head coach Arne Slot’s performance based on team development data and progression metrics, with no definitive decision yet made regarding the manager’s long-term future beyond this season.

Recent Transfer Activity

Hughes has already moved to secure future reinforcements, notably finalizing a £60 million deal for Rennes center-back Jérémy Jacquet, who will join this summer. He has also overseen the integration of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, though reports from late February suggest Hughes now faces a decision on a potential loan request for the player. Additionally, Hughes is reportedly working on "refreshing" the club's wide options, with RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande identified as a marquee target for the upcoming summer window to provide competition or a succession plan for the attack.

Contract Management and Squad Depth

A primary focus for Hughes remains the resolution of several high-profile contract situations. He is currently navigating negotiations with Ibrahima Konaté, whose deal expires in June 2026, and is managing the "bold decision" regarding Mohamed Salah, who enters his final year in 2027. Hughes is also monitoring the midfield market, with West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes linked as a potential target should first-team regulars like Dominik Szoboszlai or Alexis Mac Allister attract serious interest from Real Madrid.

The Genius Move

Strengthen when you're at your strongest. That's the old saying and one that Liverpool haven't always adhered to - they signed absolutely no one in 2019 after winning the UEFA Champions League, after all, and subsequently won the Premier League.

But this time around, Liverpool and Hughes spent massive amounts. It was the right call, even if that kind of spend comes with risk.

Liverpool were able to attract the likes of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak to the club on the back of that title win. Given the struggles of this season, would they be able to do the same in 2026?

Almost certainly not. The atmosphere around the club, publicly at least, is one of struggle and elite players are less inclined to jump to that ship. We've already seen that with Marc Guehi, who was eager to join last summer but opted against it come January.

Hughes, though, ensured that Liverpool would have elite players to build around by doing the overhaul when he did. Be it Slot or anyone else next season, they'll have someone like Wirtz to build their attack around. They'll have new full-backs who are heading towards their prime years.

It's something that only could have happened after a major win when the atmosphere was as positive as it was. We've seen how quickly that can change - getting it done last summer was the perfect move.

Oliver Glasner has been banned from driving after exceeding the speed limit in Bermondsey, London, last July